Secondary schools are invited to participate in the annual Race Unity Speech Contest, which will take place throughout New Zealand in March. Prizes to be won include $2000 for the winner ($1000 each for the student and their school), $1500 for the runner up ($750 each for the student and their school) and a $200 gift voucher for all other finalists.

Multicultural New Zealand is a formal supporter of the contest, which is organised by the New Zealand Baha'i Community. Other supporters are the NZ Police, the Hedi Moani Trust, the Human Rights Commission and the Office of Ethnic Communities. Local multicultural councils support local organisers of the contest.

The theme for this year's speeches is Stand Up for Race Unity: don't be a bystander, Tu mai, tautokona te kotahgitanga o nga iwi, which is also the theme for this year's Race Relations Day on March 21.

The competition is for students in years 11, 12 and 13. Deadline for receipt of entries is 15 March. Regional heats take place on 22 and 23 March, and the Auckland regional final is on 4 April. The national semi-finals are in Auckland on 8 April, with the final and presentation of prizes the following day. There is also a youth conference held on 9 April in association with the finals.